A dogs life!

 Took the dogs to Steph's this past weekend.  A long ride, but they do well.  Stopped twice to let them out and for a little walk.  Hate having two on a leash, especially when Puttzer (the pup); even though he is good on the leash, goes every way buy straight ahead!  Have to be careful not to trip on him.   Soon will be working more with him on the leash.  He does really well with sit and stay.  When I walk out to get the mail, I have them sit and stay on the deck and they do wonderful!  They both do well, if I'm around and remind them to sit and stay on the deck or next to it when someone drives into the driveway.  Wonder if it'll ever get to be a habit for them. 

Odda sleeping using a rock for a pillow!!!!    She was pooped ~ playing with Steph's 5 dogs and Puttzer!  I tried to get all the dogs cornered for a group picture, but didn't have help at the time, and it didn't happen!

Neighbors Gene and Connie came to visit after we got home, and Odda was so happy to play with Gene!  She's so happy!!!
Yes, I need to take more pictures of the pup~

We have our yearly Project Pig Sale tomorrow at a town about 70 miles away, so a busy time!  It will be a long day tomorrow.  I do the clerking for the auction and daughter and others help.  Then after the sale, figure the expenses, and get everything deposited and figure out how much each seller gets, etc. etc.  So I'll be glad when I'm all done.
A chilly day here today, with just a little warmer tomorrow.   I started on yard work the other day, but now it's just too chilly.  Trees are trying to open up their leaves, but things just are at a standstill I think.  Need some nice warm rain and sunshine again.
Have a great weekend!   Jo

Steph's 40th Birthday!

Our daughter Stephani had her 40th birthday on Sunday!  Leah and I were busy Saturday with a small craft show, so Steve and I left for Steph's after I got hone late Sat. afternoon.  It is a 5 hour drive to Steph and Cullen's in southern Minnesota.  They live about 6 miles south of Pipestone on an 11 acre little farm.  Their is house is very old and needs a lot of work, but is very comfortable.  They have quarter horses, and she and Cullen are busy ALL of the time with their horses, and attending gaming and  team penning events.  She also trains horses, breeds quarter horses and give riding lessons.  This is on top of holding down a full time job in Sioux Falls SD.  Both ride together to work, she at Excel Energy and Cullen is a diesel mechanic just down the road from where Steph works. 

They have done so much to this little farmstead since they've been married (4 years come May).  They have installed new fencing, tore down rotten out buildings, fixed horse stalls and made a nice riding area.  Now this spring they've had the chicken coop removed, and cleared out trees from the grove to start building an indoor riding arena. 

                                                At the  Pipestone National Monument 

Pipestone - a soft quarried stone that peace pipes are carved and sanded from.  The art work made of pipestone is beautiful and when polished is a deep dark red.  We watched an artisan work on one, and he is so proficient it only takes him 3 hours to make a plain pipe.  He was working on one with a buffalo head.  I didn't dare ask if I could take his picture - should have.   There was beautiful turtles carved and all kinds of pipes from little to big. 

Sunday afternoon we visited the Pipestone National Monument.  (this week all National Parks are open for early visitors for a free week)  Steph and Cullen had not yet visited this park either, so we had a good afternoon learning about how this area was used by Native Americans from all over the US coming to this area to quarry for pipestone to make their peace and ceremonial pipes.  The area is still quarried, but only by Indians, and all by hand.  Just like their ancestors used to quarry pipestone.  Pipestone is a soft stone many layers deep in the earth, and the documentry movie we watched first was so informative.  Then we walked the Circle Trail.  There are numbered markers along the trail and if you're smart enough to have picked up the little trail booklet describine features at each of the markers you'll learn more about the area!  Of course we didn't see the booklets, and met up with others that had one.  That family said they'd been there 4 different times, and this was the first time they'd used the booklet.  It was great information!  I picked up the booklet AFTER the walk and we intend to go back another time to check things out closer!  Early spring here and the trees just starting to bud. 

Stephani on the walkway below the falls.  This is Winnewissa Falls.  An 1870 view of the falls in the booklet shows two levels of falls, but in the early 1900's the falls were lowered about 8 feet by blasting the rim, creating 18 additional acres of tillable land for an Indian School at that time.

Steph and Cullen on the top trail.

A flooded quarry that won't dry out until late summer.  Visitors are not allowed to go into the areas that are being quarried now.  Spring snow run off fills the quarries, so most of them aren't being quarried until late summer and into the fall.  It takes many years digging off the top soil, the layers of quartzite.  The vein of pipestone that we saw in one quarry was only about 12 inches, with overlying Sioux quartzite.  Chopping and cutting through that is very hard.

There were some pictorial markers along the way.  This was Cullens first time here too, and he is part Indian.  His uncle is one of the carvers that here, and he didn't even know that!  I think he was very moved by this big of history that he wasn't all that familiar with.  The prairie land around the quarry is considered sacred ground, and years ago when different Indian tribes came to quarry the pipestone, they camped on higher ground to the west and north and only entered the quarry area for the obtaining pipestone.  The general belief held by many Americn Indians is that the stone was formed from the flesh and blood of their ancestors.  Pipestone National Monument is the only location where Indians have quarried the red pipestone and still quarry today.  There are several ceremonies held here yearly when Indians come from all over. 

So we all enjoyed our afternoon walk at this park.  Driving by, you wouldn't even know it is there.  Prairie land around and I can't wait to go back some time this summer to see the different colors of the grasses and with the trees all with leaves, it should look a little different.

Sunday evening then we went out to supper and Mad Mary's in Flandreau SD.  Yum, the food is so good there.  Then Steph wanted to go to the casino there to the Birthday Booth.  She won $42.00 to use there and with her money left from last year, she had over $70.00 to play with.  Of course, none of us won anything!  But we had a good time.   (It's not very often that we go to a casino-too hard to lose hard worked for money!)

So we had a great time with Steph for her birthday!  I'll post more pictures another day.  It's not letting me do any more here now.

Have to go to the doc today to hear my blood test results - will share that with you too.
Hope you're all having a great day!

Jo

Odda & Putzer pic!

Think they are now both content with each other!  Whoopee!

We have a red tennis ball that was Hooch's, and puppy is going to be another dog that will fetch!  Already is going after the red ball and bringing it back.  This morning when I was out with both dogs, Odda now decided that she will also chase the red ball!   Did it several times.  I think she didn't really want to share it with Putzer, so decided she better get in the game!    Took this picture after playing awhile.

When I walked out to the mail box, Odda sat and stayed on one command, and it took about 4-5 to get puppy to sit and STAY, but he did!   Twas so proud of both of them!

Won't be long and puppy will be sleeping in the outside kennel with Odda.   His hair is growing so long, and he is growing.  Will weigh him on Monday again.  Need to take to the vet for shots too.  So will be taking a trip to the vet next week.

With this early spring, Steve has is peas in the ground already!   So hard to believe!  Makes one wonder what our summer is going to be like.  Afraid it's going to be a dry one, but praying for nice rains to come yet this spring, and summer.

Have a great Easter weekend everyone!

The Great Babysitter!

 Odda is now filling in as the "Great Babysitter".  She has now taken a liking to little Putzer, and is his guardian.  I am now happy!    The first 2 weeks was rough for Odda.  She was running away every day for a week, and we'd have to go find her.  Well, now puppy is big enough to pester her and they play a little and both lay around relaxing.  Sometimes tho, Putzer takes a walk on his own, and ends up out of sight.  Yesterday he was on the other side of the driveway and behind the old pump house, just snooping and have a great time.  By the time I'd walked over there, I was getting a little frightened!  There are big hawks and eagles in our area, and this little pup would be a choice meal.   That thought just makes me nervous!  Odda was still laying on the deck, not too worried.

Here are some new pictures.

Of course, I'm having to take pictures through the door window!  If either one sees me, the picture taking doesn't happen.  They're up and coming to me!  So my pictures won't be the best quality, as my windows haven't been washed yet this spring.

Putzer's little paw isn't as big as one of Odda's toe pads!

A nice spring day here in Minnesota!  Soon I'm going need to be out raking and in the flower garden.  Lots of work to do.  We get a lot of little rocks in the yard, after Steve moves snow in the winter.  That is the biggest pain of all, getting rid of those rocks before we have to start mowing.

Happy Spring!!!!!!

     



New family addition!

Our new puppy - just got him this morning, and haven't even named him yet.  He is pretty little!!!

An Australian Shepherd; and will be a great farm dog.  Hubby wanted a dog that will help him with the livestock.  Years ago we had an Aussie, and he was wonderful.  This puppy has two blue eyes, where our other Aussie had only 1 blue eye.   Maybe we'll name him "Blue" as was our other dogs name.  But since he is hubby's dog, he will pick the name.  Odda seems to like him, but a little dis-interested.  That will change as the pup grows and starts playing.  Will post more pictures as they are taken. 

Have a great day!   jo

Girls Weekend Away!

Had a girls weekend away and did we have fun!  Sister-in-laws and daughters!  Three of us sister-in-laws, and 4 daughters.  We all met at St Cloud MN, and stayed two nights, shopped two days, ate out, laughed til we cried, and all bonded!  It was so great for the cousins to get to know each other better.  They don't have the chance to get together like we all did when the kids were little. 

My middle daughter Stephani came from SW Minnesota; SIL Sue from Wisconsin and her daughter Christin and daugher-in-law Michelle both from Hastings, MN; and SIL Loretta and her daughter Carissa from Osage area and me.  (Daughter Leah didn't go, as they had plans for snowmobiling.)

I'd brought the mixings to make a home-made facial.  So Friday evening after our day out and evening meal at Texas Road House (yummy it was!), we relaxed, doing girly stuff!   The green facial was made up of ripe/soft Avocado, a ripe banana and egg yolk.  Mix well - I used my little chopper/blender.  Put on face and neck and leave on for 10 minutes!   Afer washing it off,  your face is so soft. 

Loretta, me and Sue  with our green faces!

We also did waxing of our feet and hands.  I brought it with, and was surprised that none of them had done that before.  That was fun too.  A bunch of wusses tho, as they thought the wax was too hot.  It really wasn't.  As they did it though they got used to it, and want to do that again.

Christin after taking the mit off, and before peeling the wax off.

This is Saturday evening, Christin, Sue and Stephani with a bunch of Avon samples and stuff Sue brought with.  She sold Avon until this last year, and had some left overs.  Played the dice game - needed to shake the two dice, get an eleven or seven, to take something from the pile.  Then after all loot is out to the girls, we put the timer on to 10 minutes, and when shook a 7 or 11 again, we could take something we wanted away from someone else.  That gets wild, as you may not end up with what you want!

We also did Wine Tasting on Saturday evening.  Sue brought 6 or 8 different little wine bottles with from Minnesota Wineries, and plastic wine glasses, and we tasted.  That was fun too.  I'm sure not liking dry wine!!!  In fact there were only two that I liked, and already can't remember the names!

Saturday evening we ate at Olive Garden.  That was okey, but we all agreed that we had better at the Texas Road House! 

The Avocado Facial Recipe is:

1/2 soft Avocado (outside is dark color and gives a little to the touch)

1/2 banana  (I used a really ripe one)

Add egg yolk and mix well. 

Apply to face using your fingers, avoiding your eyes and mouth.  Wash off after 10 minutes.

Your face feels soft and moisturized - not oily or sticky.

On the way home from St Cloud, I stopped in Little Falls to visit with my girlfriend Mary B from work.  She is now retired and is also a quilter.  Saw her winter projects she was doing, and we visited for a couple of hours.  It was great to catch up with her too.  You know, I don't miss work, but I sure do miss seeing all the great friends I had at work.   I'll be quilt shop hopping with her and Jackie again this summer.

Well, the sun is up now, and think I better get the coffee pot going!  Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Now everyone is back home and back into our weekly routine.

 I've always wanted to take painting lessons.  Now that I'm retired, I can!  A friend has been taking lessons, and after checking with her, I've now gone twice.  Enjoying it, and hopefully I'm not a hopeless case!    Our class is once a month, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm and just a couple of us there, so we get a lot of help.  The first picture I didn't get done in that time frame, so finished it at home; but the class yesterday, I finished the picture.    I put the first one on as my header picture now for a few days, and here is the second one.  Our next picture will be a winter scene.  I'm learning the mixing of the oil colors and which brushes to use to get a desired effect.  Will have to try my hand here alone now as I get more comfortable. 

Do you have something that you've always wanted to try doing, and haven't been able too?  Our middle daughter is so talented artistically.  Wish she could do this with me.  She painted beautiful pictures in art in high school and won some contests then.  I think she'd really enjoy this if she had the time. 

Each one of us have hidden talents within - waiting to come out.  Take a risk and try new things.  It's great.

Have a great day!